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Event Ideas

Event Ideas Event Planning Guide Targeting Tips
  • Community College Fire Academy Presentations

    The Riverside County Fire Department in California provides presentations for local community college fire academies in their area. These presentations include showing short recruitment videos, a verbal presentation with a question and answer period, and informational materials handed out to prospective firefighters.

    Fire academy students

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    Through partnerships with area community college fire technology programs, members of the department are able to speak with and provide valuable insight to prospective firefighters. This gives students an opportunity to grow their knowledge and expand their network of active fire service professionals. In California, colleges are asked to justify their need for fire academies, so these presentations also help departments provide useful recruitment and retention data that positions academy staff and students for success.

    Through the presentations, the department is able to meet with students and emphasize the importance of experience and firehouse living as they move into the field. Students are able to gain vital knowledge about their potential roles in the department, the online application process, and the interview and hiring processes. Volunteers are considered fully functional firefighters, and these presentations help ensure that any candidate is as prepared as possible.

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    • Scheduling events Coordinating with area schools and programs to determine presentation dates and locations
    • Preparing informational materials for students
    • Making sure video and audio needs are met for presentations
  • EMT Training Course

    The Carlin Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) offers a low-cost Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training course as a way to better their community and increase the recruitment of EMTs in their area. Participants receive a full reimbursement upon successful completion of the course and one full year of active status as either an EMT or firefighter within the department.

    Community-minded adults 18 and older

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    As a volunteer fire department and ambulance service in Carlin, Nevada, the CVFD offers a full EMT basic training class in accordance with National Registry standards. The course is geared toward area residents who are community-minded and between the ages of 18 and 55. The cost of the course is $200 including the textbook, plus additional fees for some testing and online portions. However, participants receive a full reimbursement upon successful completion of both the course and one full year of active status as either an EMT or firefighter with the department. This type of training helps give prospective volunteers a chance to explore their interest in becoming an EMT or firefighter and provides an incentive for prospects to follow through on their commitment to serve.
    • Determining class capacity based on available resources
    • Schedule coordination between students and instructors, including make-up dates for any conflicts
    • Promotion and funding of course for reimbursement
    • Coordinating any needs involving state EMS
  • Open House/Job Fair

    The event provides applicants the chance to connect and speak with members of your fire department. Interested candidates have the opportunity to fill out an application, drop off any application materials, and speak with members of your recruiting team.

    Community members & prospective recruits

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    This type of event provides a way for departments to welcome interested candidates to an open house at a fire training center or department. Applicants are given the opportunity to speak with everyone from the chief all the way down to rookie firefighters. Department members can offer advice on taking the necessary written, physical, and oral tests as well as what it’s like to be a firefighter or EMT, and attendees are given the chance to ask questions and submit an application if they have not already done so. The event can be made even more interactive by giving prospective recruits a chance to see and try on some of the equipment volunteer firefighters use on the job. Many departments have had great success with this type of event, such as the South Bend Fire Department in Indiana which had more than 100 attendees and 23 applications received on site during a single open house/job fair.
    • Promoting event via social media, email lists, and area media
    • Creating promotional and recruitment materials for event Start customizing your materials HERE
    • Planning for inclement weather
    • Providing refreshments and snacks for guests
    • Determining length of event Approximately two hours is recommended
  • Firefighter Dodgeball

    Firefighter dodgeball is a drill that allows firefighters the chance to practice air consumption techniques and understand how much air their SCBA airpacks use during strenuous activity. Playing dodgeball while wearing SCBAs is just as physical as fighting a fire and is something fun and entertaining for the general public to watch.

    General community and/or prospective volunteers

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    It’s dodgeball! Using an empty engine bay and dodgeballs borrowed from a local school, two departments compete in a friendly game of dodgeball that also serves as an air consumption activity. A firehose divides the bay in half and participating firefighters play between three and four games while wearing their SCBAs. For the Schoharie Fire Department in New York, the County Fire Chief’s Association also donated water, sports drinks, and food for the participants, which added to the event’s success. Opening the event to the public and documenting on social media is an easy way to promote the department within the community, engage the public, and generate interest in volunteering.
    • Finding a space that is large enough and allows for spectators
    • Getting dodgeballs We suggest borrowing from an area school
    • Having participants sign a waiver
    • Creating promotional and recruitment materials for event Start customizing your materials HERE
    • Refilling SCBA bottles at conclusion of the event
  • Women’s Fire Expo

    Introduce women to firefighting by providing a hands-on experience in a low risk environment. Female role models act as representatives of the firefighting community. Female firefighters can speak about any opportunities in the field and illustrate the teamwork and support that firefighting provides.

    Women in the community

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    The Women’s Fire Expo can be accomplished in either a full-day or half-day time frame. In the past, the Eden Prairie Fire Department in Minnesota has collaborated with other area departments for the event. Prior to the event, it is helpful to register participants, provide them with waiver paperwork, and collect sizes needed for training gear. The expo begins with a short classroom session including introductions, any finalization of paperwork, and a brief overview of the department. A safety presentation is also given to demonstrate the various elements of PPE.

    Participants are then broken into groups led by 1-3 female firefighters who guide them through the process. Evolutions of the expo may include a controlled ‘live fire,’ auto extrication, search and rescue, ground ladders, aerial apparatus, rappelling, and some form of a physical ability test.

    • Securing physical space needed for the event A training facility is recommended
    • Addressing any necessary waiver/liability paperwork
    • Determining if the event is for those 18 years of age and older or if some younger attendees will be allowed to participate in certain activities
    • Ensuring the availability of female firefighters to lead the groups
    • Creating promotional and recruitment materials for event Start customizing your materials HERE
  • Community Festivals

    Community festivals are a prime opportunity to take applications for the local and county departments and hand out informational safety materials. It is also a chance to engage the community and determine any current concerns that the public may have.

    The general public and anyone interested in pursuing a department role

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    Large community festivals provide a great opportunity for your department to engage the public and discuss issues surrounding fire safety. These festivals − which generally feature information tables, rides, activities, food, and other family activities − enable department members to interact with a wide group of community members in a fun environment. For example, the Boyne City Fire Department in Michigan uses the Polish Festival as a chance to engage the public, provide safety information, and promote the need for volunteers. During the event, they are able to answer questions about the recruitment process and collect information from people interested in volunteering.
    • Getting necessary permits/permission for festival space
    • Personnel necessary to staff the space throughout the day
    • Making sure chairs, tables, tent, or any other basic festival station needs are available
    • Creating promotional and recruitment materials for event Start customizing your materials HERE
  • ‘Jaws of Life’ Demo

    Provide an opportunity for high schoolers who are about to graduate to learn more about volunteer firefighting in an entertaining and interactive way through a demonstration. This opportunity gives young prospective recruits a chance to interact directly with volunteer firefighters, ask questions, and explore any interest they may have in applying.

    High school seniors

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    This event gives you a chance to conduct a live outdoor vehicle extrication demo for high schoolers. This demonstration provides students with an example of a job task volunteer firefighters may be faced with and opens the door for additional conversations about what it takes to become a volunteer. This event also gives departments a chance to raise awareness about any volunteer firefighter needs in the community and allows you to collect information from eligible students in order to jumpstart recruitment.
    • Determining location for the demonstration Coordinate with schools in advance to find a time/location for the demonstration that works for you and the school’s schedule
    • Finding a junk vehicle Check with an auto salvage yard or inquiring about junk vehicle donations in your community (which are tax exempt)
    • Creating promotional and recruitment materials for event Start customizing your materials HERE
  • Fire Service Obstacle Course

    Provide an opportunity for kids, young adults, and their families to participate in a fun obstacle course that highlights skills and equipment specific to the fire service.

    Kids, young adults, and families

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    This event gives you a chance to engage the community in a fun and competitive activity while also highlighting firefighting skills and equipment. The event attracts younger people while also engaging their parents/families. The course should mimic firefighting activities and the obstacles should reflect the targeted age group. Some ideas include: a dummy or hose drag, hose target practice, rolling hose, donning PPE, and a ladder climb.
    • Determining location for the obstacle course Look for large, flat green space and obtain permits if required
    • Planning the course and collecting supplies Use items from the station including hoses and gear
      Purchase or borrow cones, rope, and/or paint prizes and trophies for winners
      Food and/or beverages for participants and spectators
    • Ensuring enough volunteers to staff each obstacle throughout the course
    • Having participants sign waivers
    • Creating promotional and recruitment materials for event Start customizing your materials HERE